Gore Valley Trail – 12 miles

The Gore Valley Trail is part of the Eagle County Core Trail system. The 12-mile route is a combination of attached bike lanes, detached trails and residential streets and winds through open space, parks and recreation facilities, as well as Vail’s core village areas. The trail, named after the creek that meanders its way through Vail, connects to the Eagle Valley Trail at the west end of Vail, and to the Vail Pass Trail at the base of Vail Pass to the east.

NOTE: The Dowd Junction section of the Gore Valley Trail is managed to include a winter closure period. Dowd Junction Management Plan

North Recreation Path – 2 ¾ miles

The North Recreation Path is a separated trail that follows the North Frontage Road from the Main Vail Roundabout to the West Vail commercial area. This 2 ¾ mile route is a combination of widened concrete sidewalks and separated asphalt path.  This is a main connection between residential areas to the west and the main ski base areas of Lionshead and Vail Village.

Bald Mountain Recreation Path – ½ mile

This short section of path currently connects the Gore Valley Trail to the Vail Mountain School and the residential areas of the Bald Mountain neighborhood. Future plans include the extension of the path to the East Vail interchange.

Vail Pass Trail – 8 ¾ miles

This 8 ¾ mile paved path partly follows the original Highway 6 route to the 10,662 foot summit of Vail Pass. The trail begins at the Gore Creek Campground in East Vail and connects to the Summit County Recreation Path System at the summit.

Eagle Valley Trail

Owned and maintained by ECO Trails, this path system extends from one mile west of Vail to the east end of Glenwood Canyon as a combination of separated recreation path and attached bike lanes.

Village Streamwalk – 1/3 mile

The Village Streamwalk is a pedestrian-only trail that follows along the north bank of Gore Creek. The Streamwalk begins at the Covered Bridge in Vail Village and ends in Ford Park, near the Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater and the Betty Ford Alpine Gardens. The trail difficulty is moderate with some stairs and short sections steeper than 10%.

Vail Trail – ~ 2 miles

The Vail Trail is a difficult single track trail generally used by hikers, although mountain biking is allowed. It begins at Golden Peak and finishes near the Vail Golf Course Clubhouse. The trail climbs and meanders through aspen groves along the south side of the valley and connects to the Gore Valley Trail on each end.

North Trail – 7 miles

The North Trail is a difficult single track trail enjoyed by both hikers and mountain bikers. The 7-mile trail can be accessed in several locations and offers a mix of gradual climbs and steep descents.

Son of Middle Creek Trail – 9 miles

The Son of Middle Creek Trail offers a combination of unpaved roadway and difficult single-track for hikers and mountain bikers. The 9-mile loop is a locals favorite.

Eagles Nest Wilderness Area Trails

Five wilderness hiking-only trails begin east of Vail Village. The trails are operated and maintained by the U.S. Forest Service. They all in the White River National Forest before entering into the Eagles Nest Wilderness Area. For more information on these trails, contact the Eagle-Holy Cross Ranger District (970-827-5715).

• Bighorn Trail
• Booth Creek Trail
• Deluge Lake Trail
• Gore Creek Trail
• Pitkin Trail

Vail Mountain Trails

Vail Mountain offers more than 35 miles of hiking and mountain biking trails for all levels accessible from Vail Village, Lionshead, and Golden Peak.

Current Projects

Frontage Road Bike Lanes
The town is continuing the addition of widened shoulders to Vail's Frontage Roads this year along a one-mile stretch of the South Frontage Road in West Vail between Donovan Park and the West Vail Roundabout. Anticipate single lane closures during the project. Work should be completed before the 4th of July.

Upcoming Projects

Library Culvert Replacement
The double culverts over Middle Creek behind Vail Library may be replaced this fall with a concrete box culvert due to erosion between the existing culverts. Details as they emerge.

Frontage Road Bike Lanes
The town is in the design phase of the next phase of the shoulder widening projects between the Vail Professional Building and Donovan Park on the South Frontage Road. Construction is currently anticipated for spring of 2014.

Recently Completed Projects

Frontage Road Bike Lanes
The North Frontage Road between Ford Park and the I-70 East Vail Interchange was completed in the fall of 2012. The project added 6' shoulders to over three miles of the Frontage Road, a significant improvement for the cycling community.

Seasonal Closures

Winter

• Dowd Junction section of Gore Valley Trail – Closed during winter season according to Dowd Junction Management Plan. It is anticipated that the trail will close for the season on November 16, 2009.
• Gore Valley Trail from Donovan Park to Lionshead – Trail is open, but not maintained during winter months
• Gore Valley Trail from Sunburst Lane to East Vail – Trail is part of Vail Nordic Center and is included in fee area

Spring/Summer

• North Trail – Closed April 15 to June 15 for wildlife calving, feeding and migration needs
• Son of Middle Creek – Closed May 1 to June 15 for wildlife calving, feeding and migration needs

Town of Vail Recreation Path Standards

ECO Trails - The Eagle County, Colorado Trails Department website

Summit County Recreation Path System

Executive Summary

Vail Parks and Recreation Master Plan

Map A - Vail Area

Map B - Access Outdoor Components

Map C - Access to Indoor Components

Map D - Access to All Components

Map E - Access to Winter Components

Map F - Regional Providers